DTC Podcast Ep 562: Low Maintenance Scaling: How Priority Bicycles grew to 25k units/year
Nov 24, 2025
Connor Swegle, co-founder of Priority Bicycles, shares his inspiring journey from a $565K Kickstarter to selling 25,000 low-maintenance belt-drive bikes annually. He reveals how prioritizing customer service and community-led product development has shaped their unique offerings. Connor discusses the importance of simplifying their marketing strategy and targeting only engaged buyers. He highlights using customer insights over traditional attribution data and the successful collaboration on new bike models, such as the Bruiser, through a feedback-driven process.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Kickstarter Validated Demand Fast
- Connor Swegle launched Priority on Kickstarter aiming for $30k and sold over 1,500 bikes.
- The campaign raised $565k and validated both product demand and the brand story.
Low‑Maintenance As A Core Differentiator
- Priority differentiated by focusing on low-maintenance belt-drive bikes for mass market appeal.
- That technical choice created a clear brand benefit beyond superficial features.
Match In‑Store Trust With Service
- Offer fast, accessible customer service to replicate in-store reassurance for online buyers.
- Provide real-time support so customers can get product questions answered before purchase.